Care Packages and Other Goodies

The Resident Student Association (RSA) partners with On Campus Market (OCM) to provide convenient options for parents to send care packages, teddy bears, birthday cakes and even pajama-grams to the student throughout the year. Funds raised from these sales help support the Resident Student Association events held during the year. Visit OCM to see all the available options today!

Parents & Family Site

See the Parents & Family Site for information about health and safety, important phone numbers, money matters and academic support.

Campus Life Handbook

The Campus Life Handbook contains Otterbein's policies, guidelines and sanctions. If you have a question from what the parking policies are to what refrigerator size is appropriate to what the visitation policy is, it can be found in this book.

Food Service

Bon Appétit is Otterbein's food service provider. Bon Appétit is a company committed to controlling its carbon footprint by using locally produced food. On-campus dining options include: the Cardinal’s Nest, our main cafeteria; the OtterDen, a made-to-order grill restaurant in the Campus Center; the Roost Express deli in Roush Hall; and the OtterBean Café in the library.

Security in the Residence Halls

Security in the residence halls is very important. The Campus Police Department is committed to providing a safe, friendly atmosphere through high-quality service and programs. Our officers have received training and certification through the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission (OPOTC) and are commissioned as police officers.

Throughout the year, the Campus Police staff presents programs in the residence halls on a variety of topics, including Active Shooter Training, Spring Break Awareness, Self-Defense Classes, and many more. Encourage your student to take advantage of these free opportunities. More information on these programs can be found here.

Insurance for Your Belongings

We suggest you record the serial number for valuables brought to campus, such as TVs, computers, media devices, and cell phones. To further protect your belongings, we recommend every parent and student check their homeowner's or renter's insurance policy in regards to protecting belongings while a student is at school. Most homeowner's insurance policies will cover lost or damaged items, but please be sure to check. The University does not insure students' personal property or compensate for damage or loss.

You may also purchase insurance specifically for students at college either through your local insurance agent or by using one of these websites:

Vaccination Information

The Ohio Revised Coded (ORC) Section 1713.55 states that beginning with the academic year that commences on or after July 1, 2005, an institution of higher education shall not permit a student to reside in on-campus housing unless the student (or parent if the student is younger than 18 years of age) discloses whether the student has been vaccinated against meningococcal disease and hepatitis B by submitting a meningitis and hepatitis B vaccination status statement.

Information on each disease, meningitis and hepatitis B, the risks associated with the diseases and the availability and effectiveness of the vaccines is included in this brochure and is available on the ODH website.

Please note this law does not require vaccination of the student, nor does it require the institution to provide or pay for these vaccines. It requires only disclosure of vaccine status of the student.

All students living in Otterbein University residence halls, theme houses and on-campus apartments will be required to disclose their vaccine status at check-in to the living unit. Parents of students under age 18 will be required to sign the form.